AmyDavid

Does anyone know, or at least know where I can find out whether we will be charged for going to see a doctor if we do not have a NS Health Card, but DO have Blue Cross Group Coverage?

Also, if we will be charged - how much it will be?

Thanks

Silverdragon102

We only found out the other week that we had to apply for a health card and the following day I slipped and injured my wrist. Ended up in ER. Bill cost me $100 which was cheaper than I expected. Health card applied for 2 days later and woman told us we were covered from day 1 and why hadn't we applied before. Now waiting for cards to arrive in the post. Posted this just to give you an idea on cost

Have you applied yet for yours?

AmyDavid

We have had ours but as David's application for TWP Extension is still being processed we are not covered. We have Blue Cross Coverage through his work, am not sure if we can use this though if we don't have the health cards?

Steve_P

Blue Cross will not cover anything normally covered by a provincial healthcare plan.

AmyDavid

I thought that would probably be the case.

Bloody kids - I told them not to get any illness that would involve going to the Docs until the new WP came through!

BristolUK

Day one? I thought there was the standard 3 months wait.

although it can be 2 and a bit.

BristolUK

If you can't trust your own kids who can you trust?

destinationnovascotia

Depends on the Province. It's day 1 in NS.

AmyDavid

Not here in NS - you are covered from day one :0)

destinationnovascotia

If you have a health card that is in date you are very unlikely to get challenged over the extension to the WP issue.

Greenhill

Last time I went to the walk-in clinic (sinus virus/infection), my MSI card had expired but they were ok about that. They allowed me time to apply for a new one (which took a few weeks to sort out) but all was ok in the end and I didn't have to pay a penny.

AmyDavid

It expired in February and we cannot renew until the new work permit comes through.

destinationnovascotia

Greenhill is right. In the hospital where I work we often see Nova Scotians with expired health cards. We just point it out to them and remind them to get it renewed, but we treat them anyway.

If you do end up having to pay though, don't forget to save the invoice and claim it back on next years tax return.

BristolUK

Well well well. I've been looking into a move to NS and thought I'd seen the same 3 month rule that applies elsewhere. Nice to know.

Silverdragon102

That is what we thought and stated this on the phone but was told in NS was covered from day 1.